Bilbo Baggins is the main character, or protagonist, of The Hobbit. He is not a classic hero, indeed he is very ordinary and mild-mannered. Like most hobbits, he simply wants to be happy and comfortable in his simple surroundings. On the other hand, as Gandalf (the wizard) observes, his simple, genial demeanor tends to obscure his potential as an adventurer:

There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself.

He agrees, with much persuasion, to join Gandalf and the dwarves, who come to his house asking him to accompany them on a quest to find treasure. It emerges that the treasure in question had belonged to Bilbo's father before being stolen by a fearsome dragon. Throughout their quest, Bilbo proves, despite his initial objections, to be a clever and above all courageous adventurer.